North Cotabato turns over 63 barangays to BARMM

HISTORICAL EVENT ---- North Cotabato acting Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza hands over the symbolic  “key of responsibility” to Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim during turn-over on November 20 of the 63 villages in North Cotabato that voted “yes” to inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao earlier this year. Joining them are Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal   and acting Vice-Governor Shirlyn Macasarte-Villanueva. (PHOTO BY ZSDIOLANAN / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO   CITY  ---  The province of North Cotabato officially turned   over last November 20 the 63 barangays from its six towns to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that voted “yes”to the inclusion during a plebiscite held in February 2019.

The   turn-over   ceremony   was   headed   by   BARMM   Chief   Minister   Ahod   Balawag Ebrahim   together   with   North   Cotabato   acting   Governor   Emmylou   “Lala”   Taliño-Mendoza.

Ebrahim received the symbolic “key of responsibility” from Mendoza during simple rites held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex.

They were joined by Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Deputy Speaker Hatimil Hassan and Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal with acting Vice-Governor Shirlyn Macasarte-Villanueva and First District Board Member Mohammad Kelie Antao.

The historical event, viewed as a milestone to the BARMM government, was also witnessed by various BARMM officials, employees, and partner organizations.

Earlier, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of North Cotabato adopted a resolution to turn over 63 out of 67 barangays to the BARMM which opted to join the expanded Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. These barangays are located in the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, and Pikit.

These   villages are:   Dunguan   and   Tapodoc   in   Aleosan;   Kibayao,   Kitulaan,   Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian, Pebpoloan, and Tupig in Carmen; Buluan, Nanga-an, Pedtad, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone, and Tamped in Kabacan; Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan,   Kapinpilan,   Kudarangan,   Central   Labas,   Malingao,   Mudseng, Nabalawag,   Olandang,   Sambulawan,   Tugal,   and   Tumbras   in   Midsayap;   Lower Baguer,   Balacayon,   Buricain,   Datu   Binasing,   Datu   Mantil,   Kadingilan, LibunganTorreta,  Matilac,   Lower   Pangangkalan,  Upper   Pangangkalan,   Patot,   and Simsiman   in   Pigcawayan;   and   Bagoinged,   S.   Balong,   S.   Balongis,   Batulawan, Buliok, Gokotan, Kabasalan, Lagunde, Macabual, Macasendeg, Barungis, Bualan, Bulol,   Fort   Pikit,   Gli-gli,   Manaulanan,   Nabundas,   Nalapaan,   Nunguan,   Pamalian,

Panicupan, and Rajah Muda in Pikit.

Not about separation, but rather joining together, Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG)   expressed,   in   his   opening  remarks,   that   he   is   honored  to   receive   the   63 barangays from North Cotabato.

“In   behalf   of   the   regional   government   and   the   people   of   the   Bangsamoro,   we welcome   you   here.   We   are   extremely   happy   to   work   with   the   acting   provincial governor of North Cotabato. Thank you for the very good partnership before, during, and after the plebiscite. We shall forever treasure the assistance you have extended to us and we are truly grateful,” he emphasized.

Sinarimbo   said   that more   than   40   years   ago,   the   empire   Cotabato   province   was subdivided into several provinces. The  Cotabato  Empire, established  in  1914,  was dissolved   in   1973   through   Presidential   Decree   341   issued   by   then   President Ferdinand Marcos, who, using his martial law powers, divided it into the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

Earlier in 1966, several towns of the   Cotabato   province   were   carved   out   to   constitute   South   Cotabato.   In   1992, several towns were carved out of South Cotabato to form Sarangani province.

“These   provinces  originally constituted   the   province of Cotabato.  Today,   we   are honored to be reunited once again with our colleagues from the 63 barangays of Cotabato. Their return to us was held in a process and we are happy that they said “yes” to joining the Bangsamoro,” Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo stressed that the event is “not about separation, but rather joining together.”

“This is more of a connection between the Bangsamoro region and our neighbors in North Cotabato. For that, let us continue with our mission, building a better Mindanao and hopefully a better Bangsamoro homeland,” he said.

Hopeful

In   her   message,   Mendoza   expressed   her   profound   gratitude   to   all   Bangsamoro people   who   for  years   have   supported   her   administration   as   governor   of   North Cotabato.

“We are all witnesses in the years of struggle of the Bangsamoro people. I saw the hardships of our people. They fight for peace, unity, and progress. Hence, I made a commitment to support the achievement of peace in this part of Mindanao. At last, this came into realization last February 2019,” Mendoza said.

The lady governor also shared her gladness on the success of this endeavour that was realized “during her term” as leader of the province.

“This is a continued reminder of a unified cooperation and love for Mindanao. Dear Chief Minister, please take care of our 63 barangays,” she said in her emotional message.

Not an easy task

Meanwhile, Ebrahim, who welcomed the entry of the barangays in the BARMM, said the affair is not just about the official “turn-over.”

        “This   is   about   opening   another   chapter  to   the  long   history  of   our   people   in   this historic   province.   We   see   a   bridge   that   reconnects   the   63   barangays   to   its Bangsamoro   homeland.   Today   is   all   about   the   people.   Before   we   reached   this symbolic turn-over, we had to go through almost two decades of peace negotiations. A   tiring   yet   fulfilling   campaign   during   the   plebiscite   and  on   a   more   recent   note, experiencing the challenges of transitioning from the battlefield to the government,” he emphasized.

“But with the guidance of Almighty Allah,” he added, “they are hopeful for what is yet to come for the Bangsamoro and its proud people in the Cotabato province.”

“Hindi po natin mararating ang tagumpay na ito kung wala ang suporta ng taga-North Cotabato   sa   pangunguna   ni   acting   Governor   Lala   Taliño-Mendoza   sampu   ng kanyang   mga   kasamahan   sa   provincial   government   at   ng   mga   local   na pamahalaan,” he said.

Further, Ebrahim also assured to continue with its smooth coordination with the local government units in the province to further fast track the easy transition and transfer of the responsibility.

Accordingly, the  63  barangays  will  be constituted  into a   special  geographic  area under an administrator and will continue to receive Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

Following the plebiscite results, the BARMM comprises the five provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del  Sur, and Maguindanao; the cities  of   Marawi, Lamitan, and Cotabato;   and   the   63   barangays   in   six   North   Cotabato   towns.  (COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA UNIT, BTA PARLIAMENT, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)